The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-02-12

oddly enough addressed to Miss c. H.
Smith-not that the surname surprised
him, as he delivered quantities of Smith
matter every month"; but the c. H were
Celia's own initials, which certainly was
little strange. He ran up the steps of
handsome house and though in a hurry,
| stopped an instant to watch man-servant
within, who could be plainly seen through
the lacehung windows as he lighted the
chandelier in an elegant drawlng-room,
when, to his utter surprise, an inner door
opened to admit lady-the very lady whom
he had upset that morning Excited and
laughing at the recollection, he rang the
bell, and, as the man promptly appeared,
handed the envelope, as he supposed, and
ran down the steps.
$50 that's Miss C.. Fl. Smith ~ he said, as
he hailed car. 81 thought she was an old
maid when | tipped her over this morning
Funny how things happen in this world l
must tell Celia"
| Feeling for the valentine, which had been
tucked inthe same pocket with Miss Smith
| communication, he was soon carrying out all
plans to perfection-dropping it upon the
step and running to hiding place after a
violent ring at the bell-not so far either
but that he saw the door opened and heard
a cry of surprise, which he recognized as
Celia's. Waiting moment, he came in, with
a great deal of buster over the cold and
snow.
80 Jamie, the queerest thing!" cried Celia
meeting him at the door, her eyes wildly
bright and a bit of paper waving in her
| hand. someone rang the door-bell and left
| this on the doorstep, addressed to me-Miss
| c, H. Smith'-as grown up like as you please I!
/ OF course l thought twas valentine, so
opened it, and what do you think! There
was a queer, printed slip of paper telling
the national bank to pay me Sl,500-did you
ever hear of such thinga"
'Mercy!'' cried Jamie, ''struck all of a
heap as ne afterward expressed it, and
catching the draft from her hand. give
made mistake! faint yours. Gracious !!
they may be after me with the officers for
this. How could be so careless2"
There was nothing to do now but let out
the whole secret and explain the mistake.
"And to think I've left that sour old maid
your pretty valentine and takeu her money
| after knocking her down on the street.
too. 0 dearl it's too funny!" and over
wrought Jamie burst INTO a peal of laugh
ter: then checked himself to add soberly
''But it may be more fun than I'd like if she
finds out and sends the officers after me be-
fore can get back!"
Jamie swung so rapidly from laughter to
dread that Celia was quite bewildered, but
when she did fully understand, her terror
was greater than his.
80, hurry, jamie hurry and take it back
to hern she cried, almost pushing him into
the street ''I'll keep your supper warm
but do-do go at oncer' and, grumbling at
| his own stupidity, he obeyed.
Upon asking to see Miss Smith, a few min
utes later, he was conducted to coZy apart-
ment back of the drawing room he had seen,
and before the servant could speak, after
| lifting the portiere, had an instant's glimpse
of that lady, with tear bedImmed eyes, sit
ting before the tiled fire place. the lost val
entiue in her hand. She turned impatiently
''Well, Johnn and as Jamie blunderingly
explained matters, looked from him to the
valentine and back again with puzzled
and-could it be-even disappointed look
upon her face, 1t wasn't possible that she
would rather have that bit of perfumed.
| perforated paper, with its lines about
''rosesn and ''posies" and cloves" and
'doves," than draft for $1,000, but it GER
tainly looked so!
Her face did not however, retain its
sourest look as she asked: "Aren't you the
boy who ran into me this morning?n
eyes, maam," acknowledged Jamie, smi-
ling in spite of himself
| "And now want to rob metz she said,
scowling at him, but not so ferociously that
he failed to note suspicious CLEAN in her
eyes. $50 your name is Smith," she con-
tinued, not giving him time to answer, ''and
| your sister has my initials. What is her
| given name and yours!"
"Hers is Celia Herbert, ma'am, and rAine
is James Gay. Twas named formy faith
"Whatr' she turned upon HIM so suddenly
that the boy retreated step in dismay.
Cecilia Herbert, James Gay-my name and
| hiss" and dropping into chair she gazed
at Jamie with eyes that seemed to burn in
her pale face, so piercing and bright they
were. She motioned jamie to a chair, and,
as the man stepped forward to place it,
turned upon him fiercely.
'John what are you waiting fora Got"
and John promptly disappeared.
Then followed rapid questions and dazed
answers, for how could this lady know
| enough to ask
"Where is your father? Is he tall, with
brown eyes and mustache? Does his hair
curl! Has he tiny mole on the left side of
his nose! Are his eyebrows straight and
heavy Is his hand large and strong-and
does hen (here her eyes seemed to look
| oJfdISlJ lnGO d dillG , SOul) ''uOeS ne wear u
narrow, chased ring on his left little
| fnger!''
"He-he did, ma'am, but"
"But what!'
"He is dead Jamie's tone was low and
reverent, but the lady gasped at his words
Sand your mother!" she whispered.
eyes, ma'am-she, too. Celia and are
all alone.n
She arose and tremblingly took Jamie's
hand in hers, while he was surprised to see
how softened her face seemed.
"James, this is strange thing My name
is Celia Herbert Smith and James Gay
Smith, your father, was my cousin, the
dearest one l had. We quarreled, and he
drifted away-I never knew just what be-
came of him-and to find his children thus
Yes, yesl" she unused, gazing into his face
with PARKWAY eyes, lit is his very look-so
resolute and proud-how plainly l can see
it still And he gave his little daughter
my name. James, suddenly recollecting
herself, -'where is your sister! How do
you live! Who takes care of vou?"
81 take care of us, ma'am, and we live IN
two snug little rooms with the Huffstodts.
| They're very nice folks indeed, and he
works in brewery and she makes cakes
4